Paul Nyirjesy, M.D.

The Drexel Vaginitis Center was opened in October 2003 with the goal of evaluating women with chronic or recurrent vaginal symptoms in order to establish new (and hopefully better) methods of diagnosis and treatment. The director of the center, Paul Nyirjesy, M.D., is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology and completed a fellowship in infectious diseases. In July 1991, he established the Temple University Vaginitis Referral Center, which he directed until moving to Jefferson and now to Drexel. Cynthia Bayer, MS, CRNP, Dr. Nyirjesy's new collaborator has joined us from the University of Pennsylvania. She earned her degree at the University of Rochester and has 18 years of experience as a women’s health practitioner. Our efforts in this area of medicine have been quite successful, and we are finding that chronic vaginitis is a very common and treatable condition.

Cynthia Bayer, MS, CRNP

Most patients have seen five or six gynecologists prior to being referred to us, yet we find that most can be helped quite a bit despite the refractory nature of their symptoms. In general, most patients have been seen for a total of three or four visits. Since many patients will be traveling from a distance, our intent is to work with the referring physician in order to establish continuity of care. To help us work with your doctors, please be sure to bring with you the names, addresses and phone numbers of any physicians to whom we should send a report of our findings.

During the initial evaluation, a patient can expect a 45-minute visit, where the history and, if available, medical records, will be reviewed in detail. The physical examination, which will mainly be focused on the vaginal symptoms, will entail various laboratory studies and cultures, including vaginal pH, wet mount, KOH prep, and fungal (yeast) cultures. Other tests will be performed as indicated. Some of the results will be available immediately so that therapy will usually be begun at the initial visit. Follow-up visits will be scheduled as indicated. Since this is a joint practice, you may freely make appointments with either of us. However, emergency appointments will be scheduled with whomever has an available opening.

In order to make an accurate diagnosis, it is helpful if patients are symptomatic at the time of their first appointment. In addition, it is particularly difficult to evaluate patients who have recently been treated for vaginitis. Therefore, we ask that you not use any vaginal medications, creams or douches for at least fourteen days prior to your appointment (including oral medications for the vaginal infection).

Please note that there are certain health insurance plans with which we do not participate. If you have concerns about your particular plan, please check with the appointment desk to see if we are participating providers.

In general, the wait for a new appointment has been about two months. Appointments can be made through the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at 215-762-5580; the appointment desk is open during normal work hours. We request that you notify us at least three days before your appointment if you cancel so that we can accommodate other women who are waiting. For your first appointment, please arrive fifteen minutes early for registration.